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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker argues the Constitution does not require a vote on nominees.
In plain terms
The Constitution does not say nominees must get a vote.
What can you take from it?
Constitutional rules do not mandate votes on all nominees.

Where it applies

  • senate proceedings
  • legal debates
  • constitutional study

Putting it to work

  • read constitutional text
  • check procedural rules
  • debate interpretations

Questions to consider

  • What does the Constitution actually say?
  • Should votes be required?

Another view

Senate norms and expectations often dictate voting practices regardless of text.

More from Robert Byrd

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  2. Congress is not an ATM.

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  3. The American people and, yes, all too many of their political leaders have been manipulated and controlled in recent years through the most shameless use of fe…

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